A CYCLING race “came close to disaster” in crazy scenes as riders were sent crashing when a car headed towards them.
The driver was forced to REVERSE as bikers in France’s prestigious Etoile de Besseges event zoomed straight at the Mini Cooper.
The bizarre saga unfolded on a countryside road crammed with the speeding peleton – the leading pack – in the opening stage of the race.
TV cameras captured the incredible consequences of a car turning in the direction of the bikers, who were crowded across all the lane.
The Mini eventually managed to reverse into a side-road – avoiding some cyclists by just inches while more fortunate riders streaked past.
But as that drastic driving manoeuvre was made, about 10 competitors careered off their bikes – as the car appeared to cause a bottle-neck.
One fan called the scene “incomprehensible”.
And a viewer who posted a clip of the pile-up wrote: “This was close to a disaster. Big crash in Etoile de Besseges after a car entered on the route.”
A Eurosport commentator watching the unnerving incident was exasperated someone had driven onto the course.
They said: “Why, why, why?
“There’s always someone who thinks the roads are owned by just them.
“Luckily that crash didn’t look too scary, and not too damaging.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”The Tour de France 2024 will go down as one of the best tours ever! ” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6367873875112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“But imagine of you are travelling at 40, 45 kilometres per hour and all of a sudden a car comes your way.”
Other observers were also puzzled, but not everyone reckoned it was the driver’s fault.
One viewer wrote: “Not enough people to cover all the secondary roads I guess…and bad timing.”
A second fan pondered: “Bad timing or bad race organization?”
And a third insisted: “The sideroad is not blocked. No blame to the car driver.”
Meanwhile, a fourth fan took a wider view.
They said: “I just keep praying for the safety of these athletes, my one and only wish, stay safe.”
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